Gaming laptops have been a big deal at CES 2023. Thanks to the latest chips from Intel, AMD, and Nvidia, we’ve had a huge slate of new gaming laptops to check out at the show this year.
But the ones that stood out did more than just update to the latest RTX 40-series graphics cards. These are the devices that ventured into something new and presented an interesting new vision for the future of gaming
ROG Zephyrus M16

If there’s one gaming laptop this year that has some serious momentum behind it, this is the one. The ROG Zephyrus M16 is already a popular laptop, but this year it’s getting pretty serious overhaul. It has a new chassis that looks more refined, while also bringing over features like the customizable AniMe Matrix backlit lid.
This might seem like an odd place to start, especially since the ROG Zephyrus G16 is actually the flagship model. But I went with the ROG Zephyrus M16 because of what Asus is doing with its Nebula
Its panel has 1,024 local dimming zones, making it one of the best mini-LED panels we’ve seen on a gaming laptop. The benefit is a brighter, higher-contrast panel that should have much better
Razer Blade 16
Razer came to the show with two brand-new gaming
Most interestingly, the Razer Blade 16 features a “dual-mode” mini-LED display. That means you can switch between
The Razer Blade 16 also features a 16:10 display, the first of Razer’s gaming
Alienware x14 R2
The Alienware x14 was already a unique gaming laptop given its tiny stature. It wasn’t the most powerful system in the world, but that was never its aim. The second-generation Alienware x14 R2 keeps the crown for being the thinnest gaming laptop on the market without changing dimensions, while still making some significant changes. The exterior of the device has been redesigned, now featuring an aluminum lid and embossed “X.” It both looks and feels really premium, despite keeping much of the Alienware design language intact.
Beyond that, the Alienware x14 R2 features an updated screen, now with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and a 165Hz refresh rate. I don’t know that you’ll be able to play many games at the native resolution, but we don’t know exactly how powerful these latest RTX GPUs are yet. Speaking of GPUs, the Alienware x14 R2 is still maxed out at just the RTX 4060, due to the fact that it’s entirely powered by USB-C.
To keep things cool, the Alienware x14 R2 continues to use the same Thermal 31 thermal compound inside, but now applies it to both the CPU and GPU. There’s also a Dell-exclusive technology called Smart Fan that allows each of the two fans to spin up or down independently of one another.
MSI Titan GT77 HX
Yes, there are a lot of mini-LED gaming
First off, it’s the only 17-inch mini-LED panel we’ve seen this year, while the rest are a smaller 16-inch size. More importantly, though, the Titan GT77HX has a 16:9
MSI says the updated Titan will be the first of this new crop of mini-LED gaming laptops that you’ll actually be able to buy, while many others will arrive later in the year.
ROG Zephyrus G14
The ever-popular ROG Zephyrus G14 didn’t get a big redesign this year. However, there are two really important updates from Asus that significantly change the capabilities of this little gaming laptop. First off, we know now that configurations will be offered up to an RTX 4090, thanks to a switch from AMD graphics to Nvidia.
Those high-end configurations will no doubt be expensive, but should greatly expand the performance capabilities of this thin and light gaming laptop.
The second big update is the screen. A configuration is now being offered with a mini-LED screen, matching Asus’ Nebula
MSI Cyborg 15
$999. That’s how much this new entry-level gaming laptop from MSI costs. You might be surprised to see a laptop of this type on this list, especially since that base price only gets you a 13th-gen Core i5 and an RTX 4050.
But let’s get real — times are tough right now, and I’m always on the hunt for gaming
The MSI Cyborg 15 is a new design that has some interesting design traits, such as translucent side walls and bottom cover. They give the laptop a unique look, allowing you to take a peek into some of the internals.
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